press charges
idiom
: to take legal action against someone : to officially accuse someone of a crime
He was caught shoplifting, but the store owner didn't press charges.
Examples of press charges in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office did not press charges against Choudri or ask him to appear in court, his lawyer Allen Sawyer said.
—
ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The student’s parents were notified and expressed intent to press charges on behalf of their child.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Police said the man didn't want to press charges, so she was released soon after.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Last week, Minnesota chief district judge Patrick Schiltz affirmed a decision from a magistrate judge not to press charges against Lemon and four others.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
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ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026
The student’s parents were notified and expressed intent to press charges on behalf of their child.
—Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2026
Police said the man didn't want to press charges, so she was released soon after.
—Ana Maria Soler, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Last week, Minnesota chief district judge Patrick Schiltz affirmed a decision from a magistrate judge not to press charges against Lemon and four others.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for press charges
Cite this Entry
“Press charges.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/press%20charges. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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